THE cries for help from a police officer under attack from a suspected shoplifter in Melksham were ignored by passers-by.

PC Oliver Rudland was trying to arrest a 14-year-old outside Clinton Cards, at the Avon Place precinct on Tuesday, when the youth became violent and aggressive.

The officer could not get to his radio to call for back-up and shouted to shoppers to call the police but no-one made the call.

He said: "There was a struggle between me and him near the High Street. I asked members of the public to phone 999 and nobody assisted me.

"I had to pin him to the floor. I was injured and struggling with somebody on the pavement in the High Street.

"I stayed there restraining him for at least five minutes with 20 to 30 members of the public just standing around and nobody did anything at all to help."

The incident happened at 4.30pm and there were many shoppers nearby who could have raised the alarm. There was a phone box just a few metres away.

PC Rudland was eventually able to reach the panic button on his radio, which alerted colleagues there was a problem.

He then had to wait while officers determined who the call had come from and where he was before coming to the rescue.

Insp Sarah Bodell of Melksham said she was deeply disappointed that none of the people in the area at the time came to the officer's assistance.

She said: "There was clearly a police officer in uniform trying to deal with a problem and I would like to think there were some responsible members of public there who could have helped.

"We sometimes get a very negative press about not doing things but when we are doing them we need the public's help at times.

"I do understand people not wanting to get involved because of the fear of things that have happened before, but I am disappointed no-one rang in to call for help."

Melksham mayor Terri Welch said: "The town council and the police are working together in partnership and this is the main thing we are trying to hammer home people must be prepared, if they want a law abiding community in which to live, to play their part."

PC Rudland suffered cuts and bruises and damaged his knee during the incident.

A 14-year-old was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.